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ODF loosens fire ban

The Oregon Department of Forestry’s central Oregon district will terminate the Regulated Use Closure for district lands Oct 9 as cooler fall weather combined with precipitation over the weekend has improved conditions.

Fire season remains in effect for the District. While the risk of ignitions from certain activities is diminished, there is still the potential for fires to start or grow out of control based on current fuel conditions. Campfires/warming fires should never be left unattended until fully extinguished.

“We don’t want to see people become complacent just because it is fall,” says Braden Britt, John Day assistant unit forester.

To date this year, the Central Oregon District has seen 74 human-caused fires, over 20% more than the ten-year average of 61. The fires have burned over 8,000 acres of land.

The seasonal burn ban in Wasco and Hood River counties remains in effect. At this time, all open burning, including burn barrels, is prohibited. MH-1 and MH-4 are currently at Industrial Fire Precaution Level 1; information for these restrictions can be found at https://gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/ifpl.html.

No open burning, including burn barrels, is allowed for lands protected by the John Day Unit during fire season.

No open burning, including burn barrels, is allowed on lands within the Prineville-Sisters Unit.

If you are unsure of any restriction or have questions please contact your local Oregon Department of Forestry office. Contact information is available at www.odfcentraloregon.com.